A VIDEO surveillance operator behind technology aimed at thwarting personal injury fraudsters is aiming to expand across the Atlantic.

Ocucon hopes to attract the support of retailers and security companies on the US’ east coast.

The firm says its apparatus allows for greater amounts of CCTV footage to be stored and retrieved, making it easier for businesses to shield themselves from an £800m-a-year false injury claims market.

The venture, which was only launched in October, has already caught the attention of UK-based supermarkets and retail chains, with a number starting to pilot the technology.

Co-founder Gary Trotter said Ocucon is filling a gap in the market, since it removes limitations on how much surveillance footage an organisation can save, meaning they have greater amounts of evidence to counter claims of trips, slips and falls.

Mr Trotter also said the US voyage represents another exciting chapter for the fledgling Newcastle-based business, revealing he hopes to bolster his contact book and prompt the next stage of its development.

“We’re delighted to be seeing the levels of interest in Ocucon and be able to target America with our new surveillance technology,” he said.

“It’s been a busy couple of months for us since our launch and we can’t wait to see what 2018 holds for the business.”

Mr Trotter is also known for co-founding Hadrian Technology, which is based in Seaham, east Durham, and delivers CCTV design, supply and installation services.

Recognised for supporting operators such as supermarket chain Aldi, Ramside Estates and Tyne and Wear Museums, the business began when Mr Trotter decided to channel an entrepreneurial spirit first revealed when he sold sweets to schoolfriends.

Having harboured dreams of working in haematology, he eventually become a salesman.

The latter led him to propose the idea of Hadrian to fellow founder Stuart Ferguson, saying the pair had complementary skills that could make the idea a success.

Previous work for a firm that supplied cash and carry outlets with small security systems gave Mr Trotter his opening.

When that company re-evaluated operations, he decided the time was right to step in and provide something that simplified services for businesses in need of security systems.